Two things, the first is, we need some context...

[tniuqs]

Firstly: Lone Star .. couldn't find a "turnip reference" pity ... LMAO good one made my morning.

Associate of Applied Science. It is a very common occupational education degree in the United States (RN, RRT, Paramedic and so on).

Regarding my credentials:

The way I look at it is that I am willing to discuss most of the topics with as little or as much detail as needed or encountered. Therefore, it does not matter to me because I believe I am fairly adapt at discussing subjects with laypeople up to physicians. I would not want somebody to hold back or attempt to distill information based on their interpretation of my credential, education, experience or intelligence. In fact, I would rather somebody discuss topics without any pre-conceived notion of my education or intelligence. "Raw" and dynamic dialogue without such barriers often leads to some of the best discussion IMHO.

Take care,

chbare.

I must concur, what chbare said only far more eloquent that myself.

Yeah, job status is employed, or not, fire private, volly.

There is just so much time spent arguing over silly shit when a little context would seem to go a long way.

When a Basic asks why sugar levels change in an arrest then I have a decent idea what kind of information s/he may be looking for. A medic is likely to be looking in a different direction.

You seem to feel that I'm looking for a dick measuring contest, and nothing could be further from the truth. It's meant to allow newer members, or any members I guess, to be able to identify with the experience and knowledge of others, or those without to be more easily identified and helped by those that do.

I'm thinking that you didn't Google very hard, as it's not difficult to see that an AAS is Associated of Applied Science degree. It's nothing huge, but perhaps it will draw the interest of those that are considering going to a medic mill..it's what happened to me.

I guess this is much more complicated than I expected. In my head it seemed pretty simple. A few words to describe to those that don't know us what our perspective is...

Of course, you Squint with your super secret macho shit, I can see why you need anonymity. Me personally, I'm just an ol' medic and have no desire to hide from the opinions that I post here or elsewhere...

Dwayne

Dear Dwayne: I do enjoy your input but most seriously if one wishes to change, educated without "cost" and improve communication across ALL borders in any system, for the better. Does it really matter who is given credit ?

I have learned one thing in my years:

That working EMS is like urinating in ones BDUs, one gets a warm all over feeling, but hope no one notices.

cheers

(edit for contextual change and tenor and dang quote things again>

Edited August 17, 2011 by tniuqs

[Richard B the EMT]

As per the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, of the New York State Department of Health, I am an EMT-Basic (at least until mid 2015). That help?

Addendum: Almost 38 years experience, 23 years volunteer ambulance service, which overlapped 10 years on 5 IFT Private (non 9-1-1) ambulance services, and 25 years municipal EMS (splitting 11 years in a hospital based service, 14 in a Fire Department based service).

Current status is medically retired (bad back and knees, so I no longer can safely lift without risk to me, my partner, or the patient), but EMT-Basic is active, as already mentioned, until 2015.

[FireMedicChick164]

You asked, I did...I'm an EMT-Critical Care, Captain/Firefighter, and Occupational Health Technician rolled into one figure that out!

[fiznat]

I'm of the opinion that what people say often means a whole lot more than what their profile/shoulder patch says. This happens too much already in EMS. Ever notice how when you meet someone new on the job, the first place they look is at your shoulder? I'm not sure we need the same thing here. I can usually tell someone's level of education shortly after they start talking anyways haha.

What I would like to figure out is how to make my stupid avatar smaller! The new software blew it out of proportion and now it looks silly! EDIT-- fixed him a little bit!

Edited August 19, 2011 by fiznat

[crotchitymedic1986]

really, really ? Cert level matters ?

[Happiness]

And again He's back lmao

[PCP]

Paramedic but not ALS so I guess I would be considered an EMT-I in the United States? Sorry I know we have gone over this a million times but still not sure what level a EMT-B, EMT-I, can practice at. If I have it correct an:

EMT-B is equal to what we call a " Emergency Medical Responder " in British Columbia

EMT-I is equal to " Primary Care Paramedic " here in British Columbia

EMT-P is equal to " Advance Life Support " here in British Columbia

It sounds like now we are getting new jackets that insted of saying " Paramedic" on the back they are going to say " British Columbua Ambulance Service" on the back and on the front left corner of the coat is going to say "BCAS" Not sure why this is happening but I guess it doesn't matter too much as everybody from a driveronly to" ALS" paramedics all have the same jacket that says " Paramedic" on the back even if they are a driver only and just have their OFA level three. Which is very rare I just know of two people that work at a station that are driver's only but wear a jacket that say Paramedic on the back. I am pretty sure though that has or is going to change as Now to join the Ambulance service you have to be licensed as a "EMR"

I think they should maybe say what level you are on the back of the coat for example Mine would say " Primary Care Paramedic" others would say Emergency Medical Responder or Advance Life Support Paramedic" on the back. That way the public, first responders, and other paramedics in the service can identify what level of care you can give to the patient.

Just a thought